On their marks—a look at six women blazing the Hollywood trail

In our first Women in Hollywood issue, ELLE honors the trailblazing actresses and directors who not only represent the best of big-screen glamour but create the greatest American art form. These are the icons, legends, and up-and-comers that are preserving Hollywood's grand tradition of sparkle and shine.

Women In Hollywood

Women In Hollywood

ELLE : Which actress inspires you?DL : Claudette Colbert. As far as men go, when she was angry, she was very, very cute. But for women, when she was angry, she was very, very real. It's the tricky thing for actresses: You must never estrange the audience. That's so connected to femininity. It can be quite limiting.ELLE : Which of her movies spoke to you?DL : It Happened One Night. It's the absolute blueprint for every romantic comedy that has since succeeded. I even see it in screenplays today. It's the disdain factor that raises the stakes in the relationship: "I hate you so much, I have to have you."ELLE : Ever had a casting couch experience?DL : I've had the thing of being told what to wear: [old-guy voice] "Dress sexy, honey." You just roll your eyes. I've got those clothes in my closet.